Wildlife Identification & Prevention

What Is Wildlife?

Wildlife is a term used to describe wild animals that live outdoors on their own, relying on their instincts for survival. However, as our habitats have merged, these wild animals have come to take advantage of the food, water, and shelter that our properties unintentionally provide to them.

Three of the most common species of wildlife here in the Dallas Metropolitan area are listed below:

• Opossums
  These are the only species of marsupial found living in the United States. Marsupials have young that are born underdeveloped and finish their development in an external pouch located on the mother’s abdomen. Opossums live alone and are active at night. They have long, narrow faces covered in fur that is lighter in color than the rest of their bodies, which are covered in whitish-gray fur and sprinkled with long guard hairs. Opossums also have prehensile (gripping) tails which are hairless.
• Raccoons
  These animals are about the size of house cats. They are nocturnal and are rarely seen by people during the day. Raccoons have a distinct mask of black fur around their eyes, a tail ringed in gray and black fur, and dense salt-and-pepper-colored fur over their bodies. Their paws are hand-like and give them the ability to manipulate objects easily.
• Squirrels
  Squirrels are a type of rodent. They come in a variety of colors including whitish gray, yellowish, red, or brown. Their bellies are usually lighter in color than the rest of their bodies and they typically have long, bushy tails.

Is wildlife dangerous?

The fact that wild animals are not domesticated makes them unpredictable and dangerous. Wildlife that feels threatened or cornered will lash out by biting, scratching, or performing other aggressive behaviors. Also, wild animals carry and spread a variety of diseases in their saliva, urine, and excrement that can make people very ill. Additionally, wildlife can cause a lot of destruction in yards by digging through trash, gardens, and lawns while foraging for food, and they can also cause structural damage by nesting under decks, sheds, and foundations; their chewing and digging habits can cause fires and water damage.

Why do I have a wildlife problem?